Galway City, on the west coast of Ireland, sits on
the River Corrib. It is a young and vibrant place, yet
ancient and
historic. Although its population is only about
70,000 it is the fastest growing city in Europe. Galway
city, known as the 'city of the tribes' with its seaside
suburb of Salthill, is an important tourist centre and a
gateway to the scenic areas of the county.

In the 1400's, there began in Galway the rule of the
'Tribes', as the leading fourteen families were called.
Their names were Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Darcy,
Deane, Ffont, French, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martin, Morris,
and Skerritt. Members of these families served as
Burgesses, and as Mayors of Galway up to the capture of
Galway by a Cromwellian army in 1652.

The city charter was presented in 1484 by King Richard III
and, both prior to and since that time, Galway city has been
a thriving centre of commerce and trade for the West of
Ireland. There is scientific evidence of human habitation in
this area dating back almost 10,000 years, where
archeological digs discovered cooking areas in Gentian Hill
on the coastal outskirts of the city. A paleolithic axe-head
was discovered on the Aran Islands off the Galway coast and
dated over 300,000 years old. However its arrival in this
spot is unclear.
The busy port area once saw large sailing ships bound for
the Americas and was 'home' to the Spanish Armada during its
western voyages. Galway was famous at that time for it's
involvement in the wine trade, particularly Spanish wines,
and the Spanish influence is retained in an area of the city
called the Spanish Arch.

The Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh Ring (above right) originated in the fishing
village situated near the "shore" or "Claddagh" of Galway
Bay. The Claddagh outside the City Walls, and further
separated by the River Corrib, was exclusive community or
fisher-folk forbidden to use spade or hoe and ruled by a
periodically-elected "King" whose sole distinguishing mark
was his right to use a white sail on his fishing hooker. The
ring shows two hands holding a heart which wears a crown.
This motif is explained in the phrase: "Let Love and
Friendship reign", and ideal poesy for a wedding ring used
by a small community for over four hundred years. This
distinctive design is associated with one of the Tribes of
Galway, the Joyce family. Margaret Joyce married Domingo de
Rona, a wealthy Spaniard, who, when he died, left her his
fortune, which she subsequently used to build bridges in the
Province of Connacht.
More on the
Claddagh Ring

The Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch (above left) stands on the left bank of the
Corrib, where Galway's river meets the sea. The arch is the
remainder of a 16th century bastion, added to the town's
walls to protect merchant ships from looting. At this time,
it was known as Ceann an Bhalla (Head of the Wall).
Its current title Spanish Arch dates from the last century -
a reference to the former merchant trade with Spain, whose
galleons often docked under its protection.

Famous People

Walter Macken - writer of short stories, novels and
plays. Originally an actor, principally with the Tadhbhearc in Galway, and The Abbey
Theatre, he played lead roles on Broadway in M.J. Molloy's The King of Friday's
Men and his own play Home is the Hero. He also acted in films, notably in
Brendan Behan's The Quare Fellow.